General Manager

Steak 'n Shake Mt. Zion Rd Decatur; Illinois; On-site; USD 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal Discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Training

Associate Emergency Foundation

Job summary

Steak ’n Shake is seeking a General Manager with an ownership-oriented mindset for a partnership path. The role focuses on leading restaurant operations, achieving weekly targets, and building a strong team for future franchise ownership.

The opportunity emphasizes living the American Dream through performance and ownership potential. As GM, you’ll drive hospitality excellence, manage costs, and recruit top talent while ensuring compliance with brand standards.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of GM experience in QSR or fast-casual.
• Fluency in P&L management and ability to quote food cost, labor %, and trends.
• Hands-on leadership style; comfortable on the grill, in the window, wherever needed.
• Consistent work history; we want builders, not job-hoppers.
• Owner mindset: every dollar, every guest, every team member matters, because soon it’s your name on the door.

Responsibilities

• Improve people’s lives and hospitality standards.
• Lead team from the floor, recruit, train, and drive accountability.
• Uphold brand, food safety, and service standards without exception.
• Use data to drive decisions on speed, guest scores, and costs.
• Don't just watch—make things happen and own results.

Skills

GM experience in QSR/fast-casual

P&L management

Hands-on leadership

Stable work history

Owner mindset

Job description

Job Description

STEAK ’N SHAKE

GENERAL MANAGER – PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Full-Time Up to $80,000 Path to Ownership Franchisee Partner Eligible

We’re not looking for a manager. We’re looking for an owner.

Steak ’n Shake is the fastest growing QSR in America—and we’re just getting started. We’re modernizing operations, raising the bar on hospitality, and expanding our footprint at a pace no one else in the industry is matching. We’re also on a mission: real food, real ingredients, real value. We are a healthy company, delivering healthy food options at great prices. WE give every general manager the opportunity to live the American Dream.

The GMs who thrive here don’t clock in and manage from the office. They lead from the floor, own their numbers, and build teams that win. And the best of them? They become franchise partners—owners of the very store they built.

FRANCHISEE PARTNER PROGRAM

Top-performing GMs are invited to own and operate their own Steak ’n Shake. Run it like it’s yours—because it can be. This is a partnership, not just a paycheck.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Improve people’s lives!
• Provide the gold standard in service – provide the most hospitable experience in the world to all our guests
• Live by the golden role – we treat others the way we want to be treated
• Lead team from the floor – production line, drive-through, dining room. We are seeking to provide the best to our customers and therefore we seek the best managers in the country.
• Build and keep a high-performing team through recruiting, training, and real accountability.
• Uphold Steak ’n Shake’s brand, food safety, and hospitality standards without exception.
• Use data to drive decisions: speed of service, guest scores, and cost targets.
• Don’t just watch things happen, make things happen

WHAT YOU BRING

• 3+ years of QSR or fast-casual GM experience. Required.
• Fluency in P&L management—you can quote your food cost, labor %, and comp trend from memory.
• Hands-on leadership style. Comfortable on the grill, in the window, wherever you’re needed.
• Consistent work history. We want builders, not job-hoppers.
• An owner’s mindset: every dollar, every guest, every team member matters—because soon, it’s your name on the door.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Your restaurant hits targets every week—costs, cleanliness, speed, guest satisfaction.
• Your team is trained, engaged, and proud of where they work.
• You’re invited into the Franchisee Partner Program to own what you built.

MORE THAN JUST A PAYCHECK

We combine top-of-market wages with benefits that support you and your family — now and long term.

Benefits*

• Medical/Rx
• HSA with Employer Contribution
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Disability
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness
• Accident
• 401(k) with 4% Employer Safe-Harbor Match (age 18 & older)

Perks

• Meal Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Training
• Associate Emergency Foundation

Benefits are subject to service and/or ACA e